As with learning about any new PC component, you’ll have to pick apart what all of the technobabble means. There are prefixes, suffixes, numbers, and strange terms that don’t make any sense to the uninitiated. Power supplies (PSUs) are no exception. In the early 2000s, PSU manufacturers started using an “80 Plus” rating system that breaks the efficiency of PSUs into different tiers. This system is great for those who know how it works, but it can be confusing for those who are new to PC building or hardware in general. 

The PSU rating system is a bit different from how GPUs and CPUs are rated based on performance power. PSUs are rated by reliability and how efficient they are at the task of delivering power to your system. This guide will go over the basic ratings and tell you how to interpret them.

Power Supply Ratings

To start us off, let’s take at what ratings exist. The following list goes from least efficient to most efficient. 

• 80 PLUS Standard/White
• 80 PLUS Bronze
• 80 PLUS Silver
• 80 PLUS Gold
• 80 PLUS Platinum
• 80 PLUS Titanium 

The latter half of the ratings are pretty intuitive. The grander the metal the better and more efficient the power supply is going to be with “Titanium” being the current best and most expensive option. But the 80 PLUS bit is a tad unclear. Essentially, the PSU is rated to deliver 80 percent of its rated power during 20, 50, and 100 percent power loads. 

After all, you lose a bit of power in the transfer process from your wall socket to your system. If you have a 1,000W 80 PLUS rated PSU then you can expect to deliver 750W consistently to your system. 

Rated Efficiency and Why it Matters

As the list above suggests, there is going to be some variance in the efficiency of each PSU. An 80 PLUS Bronze PSU is going to stick right around that 80 percent mark during operation while an 80 PLUS Titanium PSU will be in the 90% efficiency range. 

The higher the efficiency rating of a PSU the less heat it will produce, which will better the thermals in your case as well as make it run quieter. The lower-rated units will also draw more power since they aren’t processing it as efficiently as a higher-rated PSU. If you can afford a higher-rated PSU then you may actually save money over the long-term as opposed to spending less on a lower-rated unit that draws more power.

How to Determine Which PSU You Need

First, decide on a rating for your build. Generally, an 80 PLUS Gold PSU will be plenty efficient for the vast majority of builds with a bit of diminishing returns the higher you go. An 80 PLUS Bronze PSU will be fine if you are on a budget, but do not go lower than Bronze. 80 PLUS standard/white models are rarely sold anymore since they simply are not efficient enough to keep up with modern systems.

As for wattage, you will need to calculate the total power draw from the components in your system. Each component you purchase will have a number listing in its specifications for how much power it draws. You don’t want to cut it too close either, as many systems can experience spikes that take it over the rated total power draw. For example, you shouldn’t get a 750W PSU if it looks like you are going to be using 740W of power. 

A general rule of thumb is to have half of your PSUs rating as headroom. If your system draws 500W then you should aim for a 750W PSU.

Summary

Picking out the right PSU may seem daunting at first, but I hope this guide gave you the tools you needed to narrow your selection down. Just remember that rating determines how efficient your PSU is and that you should have a little bit of headroom when it comes to the wattage of your PSU and the total power draw of your system.

The post Power Supply Ratings Explained: What Do They Mean? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

SSD (Solid State Drive) caching is a term that has been popping up everywhere in recent months, but what exactly is it? It’s a method of using a partition from your lightning-fast SSD to act as a short-term memory module, or cache, for a slower storage solution like an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). This guide will go into detail and break down what a cache is, how SSD caching works, and take a look at if it will improve your gaming performance.

Caches Explained

To make sure you understand SSD caching, it’s best to start with the basic building blocks of how a cache works in your system. Usually, you’ll see small caches on CPUs. These caches are used to store frequently-used data that your CPU needs to be able to retrieve in an instant. It doesn’t get much faster or more efficient than having data stored with the CPU, but other forms of cached data are still very useful in eking out more performance. 

What this short-form data storage does is cut down on the amount of time needed to access that data. This can result in decreased loading times, faster boot times, and better performance across all of your frequently-used programs. If you’ve ever accidentally closed out a browser full of tabs and re-launched them all with a single click then you’ve experienced the benefits of a cache. That data was stored in a cache for quick retrieval.

SSD Caches Explained

Now, SSDs aren’t usually used as caches. An SS is a storage solution that is fast, but these drives aren’t nearly as fast as direct CPU caches. So, what is an SSD cache and why would anyone go about using one? 

This method is often called “Flash Caching” since SSDs make use of a form of memory storage called NAND flash memory. You can configure an entire SSD or a small partition of one to function as a cache for storing temporary data. Using SSDs to speed things up is no novel idea. Low-capacity SSDs have been popular as stand-alone boot drives to accompany HDDs in recent years. 

Now, this solution is best for those that currently have an HDD as their main storage solution. If you’re running a system entirely on SSDs already then you won’t gain much from flash caching. But getting a low-capacity SSD to act as a cache while using an HDD as your main storage can result in significant performance and load times across the board.

How Does SSD Caching Work?

The way that your PC accesses data goes from fastest to slowest. Your RAM and CPU cache are going to be the fastest modules in your system. From there, your computer works down the list, essentially, and arrives at the HDD last. When you use SSD caching, your SSD jumps between the RAM and the HDD. So, data will get pulled from the SSD cache before reaching your slower HDD storage. This results in quicker speeds as that slower physical storage doesn’t have to be pulled from as frequently. 

If you’re using HDDs as your main storage, you likely want to keep budget in mind when configuring your system. Thankfully, lower-capacity SSDs have gotten incredibly affordable. You don’t need to pay for a multi-terabyte SSD just to reap the benefits of SSD caching. In fact, you can get one as low as 250GB since this drive won’t be used as your primary file storage.

How to Configure SSD Caching

Configuring SSD Caching on an Intel System

To start with, you’re going to need to go into your system’s BIOS and configure the SATA mode to RAID. This will enable you to configure part of or your whole SSD for caching in a later step. Keep in mind that you must have a separate HDD for this as well. You won’t be able to enable RAID and benefit from caching with just an HDD or an SSD. 

1. Restart your system and click the correct BIOS key for your system. This should pop up in the bottom right corner of the screen during startup. Don’t worry if this takes multiple attempts.
   
2. Go into the BIOS and find the “Configure SATA Drives” option
   
3. In this menu, you will see an option for “Chipset SATA Mode.” Click on that and change the value to “RAID”
   
4. Save your settings and exit the BIOS.
   
5. You can then restart your system. 

Intel Smart Response Technology (SRT)

Once you’ve completed the above steps, you’ll need to go into what’s called Intel SRT and configure the SSD. You can find all of the drivers and the SRT software on Intel’s website. Ensure that all up-to-date drivers are installed prior to doing this. 

1. Download and launch the SRT software
   
2. Click on the SSD you want to configure
   
3. Decide how much storage you want to dedicate as a cache. This can be the entire SSD or as little as ~18GB. The rest will be used as regular SSD storage.
   
4. Now that the drive is partitioned, click on the section you want to use as a cache.
   
5. You can either choose “Enhanced Mode*” or “Maximized Mode*”
   
6. Click “OK” in the bottom corner of the window. Once that is done, you have successfully configured a cache for your SSD. 

*Note regarding modes: For ease of understanding, “Enhanced Mode’ optimizes for data protection while “Maximized Mode” is optimized for speed. If you’re worried about data loss or just want to be extra cautious, I recommend using the former. 

Configuring SSD Caching on an Intel System

First off, you’ll need to go into your BIOS and configure it just as you would for an Intel system. The only difference is that you’ll want to set your SATA Chipset to “AHCI” instead of RAID. The next thing you’ll need to do is ensure your drivers are up to date and install AMD StoreMI directly from AMD’s site. Then follow these steps:

1. Click “Create Bootable StoreMI” once you’ve launched the application

2. Follow the steps for creating a “StoreMI Tiered Drive”
   
3. Click create and follow the instructions. Don’t worry if you need to restart your system.
   
4. Verify that the new drive was successfully configured by accessing your disk manager. This can be done by typing “diskmgmt.msc” into the command prompt”
   
5. Optionally, expand the volume of the drive to your desired cache. This can be done in the disk manager by selecting “extend volume.”
   
6. You now have an SSD cache for your AMD system!

Summary

SSD caching can seem daunting, but the results will be well worth the time spent configuring a cache in your system. Following the steps above should make things a bit less intimidating. Once you have a cache configured, you can reap the benefits of fast load times, quicker boots, and faster performance all around.

The post SSD Caching: What Is It & How Does it Work? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

Crucial’s recent announcement of its new P5 Plus is slated to come out in early August 2021. This lightning-fast SSD has its sights set on competing with top-performing SSDs like the Samsung 980 Pro. But does Crucial have what it takes to square up against the likes of Samsung with this SSD? Well, recent announcements and leaked benchmarks point towards that answer being yes. This guide will take a look at what the new P5 Plus is bringing to the table as well as see if it will be a better value deal over the Samsung 980 Pro.

 Read and Write Speeds – P5 Plus

The new P5 Plus ekes out ahead with slightly better read and write speeds on its lower-capacity models. It is slated to handle 6,600 MBps read and 5,000 MBps write. In comparison, the Samsung 980 Pro has more variance in terms of read and write speeds. Depending on the storage size, this SSD boasts read speeds ranging from 6,400 MBps to 7,000 MBps and write speeds between 2,700 MBps and 5,100 MBps. 

To make it clearer, the breakdown of speeds for the 980 Pro goes as follows:

• 250GB – 6,400 MBps read & 2,700 MBps write
• 500Gb – 6,900 Mbps read & 5,000 MBps write
• 1TB – 7,000 MBps read & 5,000 MBps write
• 2TB – 7,000 MBps read & 5,100 MBPs write

Meanwhile, the Crucial P5 Plus offers the same speeds listed above across every storage size. If that changes with the launch in a few short days, that information will be updated as it is released. Additionally, the Crucial P5 Plus has only been announced in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB models with no 250GB offering as of the time of writing this article. While the 980 Pro offers a wider range of speeds, the more consistent speeds of the P5 Plus make it an easier option for consumers.

Endurance (TBW) – Tie

The endurance of an SSD is determined by how much data it can read/write before it reaches a point of possible failure. This is abbreviated as “TBW” or “Terabytes Written.” The P5 Plus has the following ratings:

• 500GB – 300 TBW
• 1TB – 600 TBW
• 2TB – 1,200 TBW

In comparison, the 980 Pro ratings go like this:

• 250GB – 150 TBW
• 500GB – 300TBW
• 1TB – 600TB
• 2TB- 1,200 TBW

As you can see, the two SSDs offer identical metrics across the board. You can expect both of these mid-range SSDs to last for similar lengths of time before you start noticing failures. Additionally, both SSDs have similar 5-year manufacturer warranties that cover failure from regular usage.

Price – P5 Plus

With the Crucial P5 Plus not being officially released yet, the page for the 1TB model isn’t currently live and doesn’t show a prospective price. So far, the 500GB model is set at $107.99 while the 2TB sits at $367.99. These prices are competitive and set the P5 Plus as the more budget-friendly option between the two. The 980 Pro is $119 for a 500GB model and $409 for a 2TB model. As long as the price for the upcoming 1TB model of the P5 Plus stays similar to the other offerings, it is set to be a great value SSD.

Verdict – P5 Plus

It’s a tight competition between the P5 Plus and the 980 Pro. Either option will be great in your system as long as you can get a decent deal. But, overall, the P5 Plus offers a better price and more consistent speeds. For those reasons, I recommend picking one up if you’re in the market for a mid-range SSD for your system. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive PC upgrade, check out our handy system builder for tailored parts based on budget and use case here.

The post Crucial P5 Plus vs Samsung 980 Pro: Which Is Best? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

It’s fairly common knowledge that the more cores your CPU has the better it is going to perform in gaming and professional tasks. But why is that the case and how many do you need to hit that sweet spot of price for performance? This guide will answer those questions as well as cover some basics like what a core is and how it functions in your system.

What is a CPU Core?

To determine if core count really matters in your build, we have to get down to the fundamentals. Think of a core as a little machine that can work on a single task. These cores are laser-focused and can’t be distracted, so one core can handle one task at a time. Every core that gets added means that an additional task can be handled by that CPU. The more cores that a CPU has the more efficient it will be at performing tasks. 

A core can be further split into threads, which are essentially virtual cores. These threads allow the CPU to split up an individual core’s resources to handle a great number of tasks. This is why you’ll often see specifications listing the cores and threads for a given processor. For example, the Ryzen 5 3600 has 6 physical cores and can support 12 more virtual cores or threads. 

So, core count certainly does matter when swapping from task to task. But is that same performance boost felt while gaming?

Gaming and Core Count

Games are, generally, single tasks. You don’t need a ton of cores to get a stable gaming experience. While games do require more cores than they did before, most are still a longshot from requiring incredibly high core count processors to run AAA titles. The overall performance of single-cores is still the best metric to look at when trying to get a reliable and high frame rate gaming experience. 

It’s better to go for a mid-range chip that can deliver quality speeds and a modest core count instead of beefier high-end CPUs with many cores and dozens of threads. The current sweet spot is 6 cores. Any less and you risk running into performance hiccups. Any higher and you risk overspending for minimal performance boons. Now, high-resolution 4K gaming may warrant a higher-end CPU, especially if you’ve got a powerful GPU like the RTX 3080. For most mid-range gaming-centered uses, a 6-core CPU like the Ryzen 5 3600X will be more than capable of handling 1080p and 1440p gameplay.

In-Game Performance

Ultimately, your mileage is going to vary based on the games that you play. Most standard titles will rely more on the GPU than the CPU in terms of raw performance. However, there are quite a few CPU-intensive titles that may warrant a higher-end processor if you play them frequently. And then there are additional variances between if a game demands more single or multi-core performance. It’s good to research the games you are going to be playing and check out breakdowns of what sort of resources they use before upgrading or building a system.

CPU and GPU Bottlenecking

A GPU and CPU need to work in harmony. If one is more or less powerful than the other, it will bog your system down. Generally, you want to get a CPU and GPU in similar performance tiers to avoid this. A bottleneck occurs when one component can’t keep up with the other. Your GPU may be sending so much data to your CPU that it has to slow the GPU down to keep up with the information. 

The opposite can also be true with a CPU sending too much data for the GPU to efficiently process. If you want to learn more, we have a full breakdown of bottlenecks and how to mitigate them right here.

Summary

I recommend having at least 6 CPU cores for gaming. However, that number may not be suitable for every single use case. Finding the right CPU takes a bit of research based on the games you play and what you may already have in your current system. But 6 cores is a sweet spot that will give you enough power to run most modern titles without suffering performance dips.

Budget-orientated builds can go for a 4 core system, but you are much more likely to run into issues and bottlenecks with modern titles.

CPU Recommendations for Gaming

Best Overall Value CPU for Gaming – Ryzen 5 3600/3600X

The Ryzen 5 3600 and its slightly faster cousin the Ryzen 5 3600X are stellar 6 core CPUs that can be had for around $200. This CPU can keep up with most modern GPUs up to the 3060ti. These CPUs deliver fantastic performance while remaining at a low cost. They even come packaged with an impressively good stock cooler!

Best Mid-Range CPU for Gaming – Ryzen 5 5600X

Ryzen’s mid-range option for its 5000 series of CPUs delivers incredible performance in games and even intensive workstation tasks. This CPU is worth the extra cost if you plan to game in higher resolutions or do a fair bit of multitasking. At a sub $300 MSRP, this powerful processor offers a lot of value. 

Best Overkill CPU for Gaming – Ryzen 9 5900X

If you want a no-compromises build to pair with something like a brand-new RTX 3090 then look no further than the Ryzen 9 5900X. This CPU is far and beyond overkill for most games with 12 cores and 24 threads. And the price reflects that at $549. But the envy of all of your friends will be priceless.

The post How Many CPU Cores Do I Need For Gaming? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

Getting the right RAM for your build isn’t as simple as grabbing a couple of sticks off the shelf and tossing them into your build. Buying RAM for your build is actually pretty easy to get wrong. Not only does the RAM you buy have to be compatible with your entire system, but the sticks also have to be compatible with each other. This guide will go over the basics of how to pick RAM for your build and how to ensure that you get the best performance out of the type you pick.

What is RAM? 

Before I go diving into how to buy RAM, it’s good to have a baseline idea of what it does and how it functions in a system. Having this information will make it easier to make an informed decision when you do decide to spec out your next build. 

Most RAM is “DDRSD RAM.” Unfortunately, that doesn’t stand for Dance Dance Revolution. It stands for Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory. It’s a bit of a mouthful, but it has a rather simple yet important job in any given system. It serves as a common memory bank for your computer. Your PC will pull frequently-used data from your RAM for many tasks. It’s not for long-term storage like an SSD or HDD. Your RAM works synchronously (hence the “Synchronous” in the name) with your processor. 

The faster and more efficient that this communication occurs means better performance in applications. This performance is measured by the rated clock speed of your RAM, which is measured in Megahertz (MHz). The higher the MHz the faster that a RAM module can process and exchange data.

DDR Generations of RAM

You may have noticed that different RAM modules have different prefixes such as “DDR 3” or, more commonly, “DDR4.” These numbers stand for the generation of RAM. Higher is better here. Each generation has improved upon the last with better clock speeds, better reliability, and greater power efficiency. And those generations require a compatible motherboard. DDR3 RAM is not compatible with a newer DDR4-compatible motherboard and vice-versa. The same will be true with the next iteration of DDR5 RAM and subsequent motherboards. 

However, you shouldn’t expect a complete and instant shift to DDR5 in 2021. Though 2022 will likely see many more processors and boards compatible with DDR5. For now, DDR4 is still the dominant version in the space. And, luckily, these DDR generations don’t come around very often. DDR4 should still be a reliable and functional generation for at least the next few years. 

DIMM vs SO-DIMM Form Factor

If you’re building a standard desktop PC then the RAM form factor likely won’t be an issue. Most PCs use the more popular DIMM (dual in-line memory module) size. They are the long sticks that you’re often more used to seeing in a build. They seat right into the standard 288-pin connections on your motherboard, which are aptly called “DIMM slots.”

SO-DIMM (small outline dual in-line memory module) models are made for laptops and other portable computers that use 260-pin connections. While you can’t mess up and install the wrong kind into your PC, be sure to double-check the form factor before buying. As a beginner, it’s easy to overlook the size and purchase the wrong form factor for your build. 

Clock Speed Compatibility

Here comes the trickiest bit. You need to make sure that the RAM sticks you buy have the same clocked speed and are preferably the same brand. This may sound like a no-brainer, but this is key to watch out for if you’re upgrading a system with RAM already installed. Be sure to get the same brand and clocked speed or you could run into issues. 

It’s also worth checking your CPU to see what RAM speeds it natively supports. These aren’t hard-caps, but be sure that the RAM clock speeds line up with the supported speeds of your CPU. If you’re the ambitious sort who wants to overclock your RAM, be sure to check your motherboard’s specifications for max-supported RAM speeds. However, you shouldn’t run into any issues there if you’re not overclocking.

RAM Size/Capacity

For RAM, size is important. And size is different from the form factor. More specifically, this refers to the capacity of the stick. Check your motherboard to see what the maximum capacity supported is. It can vary from as low as 32GB all of the way up to the hundreds of GBs. 

While RAM capacity and speed aren’t as crucial to gaming performance as other system components, 16GB is a decent sweet spot to shoot for. With just 8GB, you may run into performance hiccups while web browsing or using creative software. Anything higher should be reserved for specific use cases like video editing, rendering, and other intensive tasks. 

Single vs Dual-Channel Configuration

Generally speaking, you’ll get better performance out of two low-capacity sticks rather than a single high-capacity stick. Having two sticks is called dual-channel, and most motherboards actually color-code the DIMM slots to show you how to configure your RAM in this way. It doesn’t matter when using more than two sticks since the whole array of slots will likely be filled up. However, if you’re using a pair of RAM modules you will want to check your motherboard specifications to ensure that you configure them in dual-channel mode. 

This means that your RAM sticks will work together and use fewer resources as a pair compared to a single high-capacity stick. For example, two 8GB sticks in dual-channel mode will perform better than a single 16GB stick. 

FAQ

Do I Need a lot of RAM for Gaming?

No. Aside from meeting the minimum requirements to launch a game, RAM will not have much of an impact on your overall gaming performance. While you can get away with 8GB of RAM on a gaming-focused rig, it’s always good to have a little bit more for other tasks. If you’re on a tight budget, putting money towards the GPU or CPU will net better performance boosts. 

Can I Buy any RAM for my Build? 

No, you have to make sure that the clock speed, brand, and capacity are compatible with your CPU and motherboard. Additionally, make sure to get RAM sticks of the same brand, speed, and capacity for optimal performance. 

Is there a Difference Between DDR3 and DDR4 RAM?

Yes. Different generations of RAM are not compatible with previous-generation components. Make sure you are getting parts that are compatible with your RAM of choice.

The post What Type of RAM is Compatible with My Build? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

To get the highest visual fidelity possible out of your gaming rig, you need to make sure that the monitor is just as feature-rich as the hardware in the PC itself. With monitors having so many features to look out for, knowing which ones are actually worth the trouble of getting can be difficult. The terms stack up fast. You’ve got to try and find a monitor with quick response times, low latency, color accuracy, and high peak brightness

But where does high-dynamic-range or “HDR” come in? This guide goes over what HDR does and covers if it is worth the additional cost.

What is HDR?

Essentially, HDR improves the lighting in games. This process results in deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and more realistic lighting. It improves contrast and causes what may look washed out without HDR to appear deeper and more immersive with HDR. 

This technology isn’t brand-new, but it is much more accessible than it used to be. And more games support HDR now, so getting a monitor that supports HDR is easier and more affordable. It’s no longer a feature that can only be found on the most expensive monitors on the market. Most mid-tier displays come packaged with desirable features such as HDR, low latency, and much more.

How to Enable HDR

Enabling HDR is as simple as going to display settings and clicking “enable.” And HDR isn’t nearly as resource intensive as other premium features like ray tracing. In fact, most modern GPUs from the past few generations support it. You don’t have to worry about hardware as much as you have to worry about connectivity. 

You’ll need either HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.4 connections for HDR to work with your system, even if both your monitor and PC support it. It’s also worth noting that TN panels won’t do the trick. HDR requires either an IPS or VA panel to function. But you likely won’t run into any issues there, as you won’t find TN panel displays that claim to work with HDR anyway.

Most modern consoles support HDR, with the main exception being the Nintendo Switch. The PS4/5 and Xbox One/Series X both support HDR displays. For consoles, it’s just as easy to enable it. Just go to display settings and see if the option is available. If it’s greyed out then the title you’re playing does not support it. But the list of supported titles is growing each year, which makes HDR-supported displays more attractive than ever.

Can HDR Substitute a Higher-Resolution Display?

The short answer is no. The long answer is that HDR does improve the quality of the rendered image, but it does not work to better the resolution of the original output. The two aren’t a substitute for each other since both perform completely different roles when it comes to bettering the visual fidelity of a game. 

A higher-resolution display will affect a great number of features like anti-aliasing, detail sharpness, and the sense of depth/immersion. And such features will impact system performance, depending on the components in your system. In comparison, HDR is a passive feature run by your display that will not interfere with frame rates or system performance. 

Thankfully, you likely won’t have to decide between the two. Most high-end and even mid-tier displays come packaged with HDR and a decent resolution. Gamers looking for a sweet spot for budget and features should consider a 1440p HDR monitor, as such displays have become incredibly affordable.

Is HDR Worth it?

Generally, yes HDR is worth the investment. However, the real answer will depend on your current setup. If you already have a high-resolution display, you might not get as much benefit out of a new HDR display compared to someone going from a 1080p display to a 1440p HDR monitor. While the selection of titles that support HDR is growing fast, the current offerings are far from comprehensive. 

If you are already in the market for a new display and have a system that supports HDR then grabbing a monitor with HDR support is a good idea. HDR isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and modern titles are very likely to have support for it going forward.

The post What Is HDR (High Dynamic Range)? Is It Worth It? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

There are quite a few forms of memory and storage that you need to consider when buying a new system or building a new rig. There are SDDs, HDDs, M.2, NVMe SSDs, and RAM. While most of these forms and their requisite roles in a system are straightforward, Intel Optane technology falls in a bit of a middle ground. The role of Intel Optane memory may not be as easy to discern for the average users as more traditional forms of storage and memory. 

You will often see the “Intel Optane equipped” tagline tacked next to motherboards with no real indication of what it means or does. This guide will break down what devices work with Intel Optane as well as detail exactly what it does to improve your overall system experience. 

Random Access Memory (RAM) vs Traditional System Storage

The best way to understand where Intel Optane falls into the order of operations within your system is to take a look at how the CPU and GPU interact with RAM and storage solutions. 

Generally, long-term system information and data are stored on hard drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs). When you open files (such as games), your CPU retrieves that from said drive. Different forms of storage can be accessed more quickly than others, with SSDs being quite a bit faster than HDDs. 

But that interaction’s speed isn’t solely limited by the power of your CPU or the quickness of your storage drive. RAM plays a role in how quickly data is accessed. Think of RAM as a pool of data where you can quickly access frequently-used system files and data. It has a greater role than that in a system, but this role is important to how Intel Optane functions.

The Role of Intel Optane

Intel Optane shares similarities with RAM and traditional storage. It forms a smart cache that is much larger than what a traditional RAM stick would have but it is often far smaller in capacity compared to HDDs or SSDS. Intel Optane is a small smart cache of storage. It uses an algorithm and analyzes your most frequently performed tasks.

Instead of your CPU having to work with your slower form of media storage to dig out those files, it instead can pull them from the much faster Intel Optane Cache. These tasks can include things such as:

• PC booting 
• Frequently launched titles or software
• File searches and specific media folders
• Saving files and transferring data 

Intel Optane can be especially useful for users with high-capacity HDDs who access the same folders or applications frequently. It acts as a shortcut that allows users to speed up the tasks and applications that they use most.

How Does Intel Optane Work?

So far, I’ve gone over what Intel Optane does. But how exactly does it work its magic? It’s an adaptive tool that learns to perform certain tasks faster. There’s a proprietary algorithm that analyzes your system data and usage to find out which tasks those are. And it makes this process faster by using what is called nonvolatile memory. Don’t worry, your regular SSD isn’t the sort of volatile that means it could explode at any moment. 

In this instance, nonvolatile refers to how and when the data is stored. Nonvolatile data can be retrieved more quickly since it is still actively stored when your system is off or in a sleep state. Traditional data, generally, has to be retrieved during each startup. Intel Optane can store certain bits of data in a nonvolatile form at a greater capacity than other options. This means that your system doesn’t have to go and search for those files, such as startup information, every time you press the power button. 

Through all of this learning and storing, Intel Optane can greatly reduce start times and file load times throughout your system. This is all done without needing to purchase additional storage, RAM, or other components.

What is Intel Optane Compatible With?

You’ll need a seventh-generation or newer Intel Core CPU. It could be an i3, i5, i7, or even an i9 in that family of processors. And you’ll need a compatible motherboard. It will say in the marketing material if it supports Intel Optane. You also want to make sure that it has at least one M.2 slot, but you should get one with two slots if you plan to use an M.2 drive as your main system storage. Finally, make sure that you’re running Windows 10, as that is the only OS that the technology is currently compatible with.

From there, you can pick up a 16GB or 32GB model and plug it into your board. You won’t have to worry about partitioning it or formatting it since it isn’t a traditional form of system storage. It’s a plug-and-play component that will accelerate your system’s overall performance. With most modules costing anywhere from $50-$100, this is an incredibly cost-effective way to eke out additional performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a system with Intel Optane preinstalled?

Yes, many prebuilts come ready with fully compatible components as well as integrated 16GB or 32GB modules. You can find quite a few laptops and prebuilts that include it. The following systems come ready with Intel Optane:

• HP Omen 880 Gaming Desktop
• HP Pavilion All-in-One 23-r045qe
• 2021 Dell Inspiron 13 Laptop
• HP Envy x360 2-in-1

What capacities does Intel Optane support?

It is possible to purchase modules in 16GB and 32GB sizes.

Is Intel Optane with it?

Yes, it will significantly improve speeds and performance in compatible systems. 

Do I need Intel Optane if I have an SSD?

Intel Optane will improve performance and speeds regardless of drive type. However, users with HDDs will likely see the greatest leap in performance. 

Summary

Intel Optane is an affordable module that can significantly improve system performance. If you have a compatible system and want to get the most performance possible, it is worth the additional cost. It isn’t a substitute for traditional storage or RAM, but it will make a fine addition to any system or build. If you’re looking for more components or need assistance with an entire build, take a look at our full list of build guides right here.

The post What is Intel Optane Memory and How Does it Work? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

Both “Binning” and “The Silicon Lottery” are terms that you might see thrown around on message boards, forums, and even reviews. While both terms talk about the quality of a given component, each one highlights a different process during manufacturing. And, most commonly, these terms are used when talking about high-end GPUs and CPUs. There is some variance in other components like RAM and even, to a certain extent, power supplies. However, this guide will go over how these two terms relate to the manufacturing and marketing process of CPUs and GPUs.

What is Binning?

Binning is a sorting process that vendors use to sort out top-performing components from lower-performing ones. This is most commonly done with CPUs, RAM, and GPUs. Every component that is being made is meant to meet certain performance and quality metrics. Every Ryzen 9 5950X CPU should be as identical to each other in performance as possible. The end-user should have a CPU that performs just as well as another user with an identical CPU. 

But sometimes a given component doesn’t meet standards. This could be because of a faulty core or an error during the manufacturing process. Such an error will become apparent when that company goes to test the component. These models with errors aren’t always tossed out or discarded. After all, making a high-end component is a lengthy and expensive process. 

If it’s just a couple of cores that are faulty then that CPU could be binned. No, not tossed into a trash bin. In this case, binning means turning that high-end CPU into a lower-end model. The vendor may disable a couple of the faulty cores and restamp that model as one that matches the new core count. For example, a Ryzen 9 5950X that didn’t meet standards could become a Ryzen 9 5900 instead. 

A component doesn’t even need to be faulty for binning to happen. Sometimes mid-range components are in higher demand than high-end ones. The high-end models might be binned down to mid-range models to meet the new demand. 

Binning can also go the other way, though to a lesser degree. An especially high-performing CPU in a certain category might be moved over and given overclocking capabilities. Intel is known for doing this with its “K” variety of processors, which are unlocked and capable of overclocking.

What is the Silicon Lottery?

To understand what people mean when talking about getting lucky with the silicon lottery, it’s best to take a look at how high-end processors are made. As noted with the example of the “K” series of CPUs, some models perform better than their counterparts despite being made from the same materials. 

Most of the components in your PC rely upon silicone. This material is used in many different aspects of hardware production, but it is an imperfect material. When using silicone, it has to be treated with high temperatures that melt it and help to remove impurities. It’s then used in a variety of different molds depending on the component being made. It goes through multiple processes like cutting and polishing to further refine it. 

Simply put, the resulting cleanliness of the silicone can vary from component to component. The cleaner, more refined silicon can result in noteworthy improvements in performance compared to ‘standard’ components. The cleaner the silicon the better the performance of the component. This is true because a cleaner connection results in more efficient power usage, which generates less heat.

Summary

The silicon lottery refers to a component, usually a CPU, that performs better than average. Binning refers to a manufacturer changing a component to meet quality and performance standards. Both are fairly common terms that may pop up when researching a given component, so keep those details in mind when buying. You may just get lucky and land a high-performing processor that is a cut above the rest.

The post What is Binning & The Silicon Lottery? Explained appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

Motherboards do more than just act as a backboard for all of your expensive components. Aside from having expansion slots and supporting different tiers of hardware, the motherboard plays a key role in regulating the power going to your components. 

The motherboard works this magic through what are called MOSFETs, which stands for “Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor.” Essentially, these transistors work in tandem with the board’s VRM (voltage regulator module) to determine how much voltage goes to each component. MOSFETs can be found in most power motherboards for PCs, laptops, and you will find them in PSUs. In this quick overview, I’ll go over the different instances of MOSFETs in common components and talk about what exactly they do.

The Role of a MOSFET and How it Works

Think of a MOSFET like a light switch. When it is on, power is flowing through freely to the component. When it is off, that power is not being passed through. MOSFETs are like slightly more complex light switches that are triggered by signals from integrated circuits on the motherboard. 

MOSFETs work extremely quickly, switching on and off to allow electrical current to flow through in bursts. Your PC will frequently shift and change tasks, and each task requires a different amount of power to come through. The MOSFETs work with the VRM and make sure that the right amount of power is going to each component. And this task is important. If too much power gets sent at the wrong time (or too little), the system could crash or, at worst, short. 

You can also think of MOSFETs as a filter. The power comes into your system freely, and the MOSFETs control and assign that power to different areas of the system.

Motherboard MOSFETs

Controlling voltages and power on extreme enthusiast machines that feature overclocked components is no easy task. Usually, MOSFETs come with a basic heatsink that can handle most tasks the average user sends its way. However, you may want to look into an improved motherboard heatsink or cooling solution if you’re planning to build a top-tier rig. 

The act of regulating power can cause those little transistors to get quite toasty, which will certainly impact the thermals of your system. The function of motherboard MOSFETs is fairly straightforward. The above section lays out the nitty-gritty details for MOSFETs in general. Motherboard variants control the flow of power to key components like the CPU and GPU. These components have strict power regulations. A high-quality motherboard ensures that those figures are not exceeded by having premium MOSFETs and a precise VRM.

PSU MOSFETs

PSU or power supply units also have their version of MOSFETs. The process here is a tad more complex, but I will avoid going into the deep end and just give you the broad picture. Think of the power coming from your wall as a jet of water from a firehouse. It’s powerful, but it isn’t very controlled. If you directed the entire flow all at one thing, it would likely destroy it. 

MOSFETs break that AC power down into smaller streams that run through the MOSFETs. These transistors act like funnels that turn that large flow into something usable and a bit tamer. MOSFETs work with other electrical components like capacitors to carry power to your system safely.

Summary

MOSFETs perform a simple but crucial task that many builders and enthusiasts overlook when buying a system. Checking to make sure that your motherboard of choice has a quality VRM module will ensure a stable experience. It’s best to buy motherboards from quality manufacturers and trusted sources, as the task of voltage regulation can make or break your system.

The post What is a MOSFET? Defined and Explained appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

Cryptocurrency has been the talk of the town in recent months with certain coins going viral and gamers complaining about miners buying up all of the good GPUs. There are so many terms and jargon being thrown around during discussions when it comes to cryptocurrency that parsing out the details of what’s true can often be difficult. 

So, let’s take a look at some of the basics. This guide is going to explain the ins and outs of cryptocurrency mining, how it works, and why it requires a graphics card to do. Many complex factors go into how cryptocurrencies function, but this guide will mainly look at the role of the cryptocurrency miner and how they fit in the system.

Decentralization

Before talking about how mining works, it’s important to know that cryptocurrencies are decentralized currencies. This means that there is no central bank, database, or government authority that manages or backs the network. Most banks throughout the world are centralized and regulated by sources of authority. 

Cryptocurrency is not regulated or managed by a single person, group, or government. Instead, miners and specific nodes within the network manage it. While such a system does come with its fair share of financial risks, many turn to cryptocurrencies because of this decentralization. Users don’t have to put trust in a single authority or government.

What is Cryptocurrency Mining?

With no bank printing money and regulating the flow of currency, miners essentially uncover or unlock existing coins that get added into the circulation of currency. Most cryptocurrencies function differently, and there is a growing majority that does not require mining at all. However, currencies that do require mining have a set amount of coins in their total supply. Not all of them are dumped into the market at once. The different amounts in total supply will vary between currencies, but most that hold value tend to have a hard cap on the number that can be mined. 

Instead of a central authority supplying the market with printed currency, users called miners slowly add new bits of the currency to the market through mining. This information is recorded and tracked through the blockchain. The blockchain is a complex layer of computing. For a basic understanding, think of it as a ledger that tracks the movement of a specific cryptocurrency and places value based on all of the market factors.

How Does Cryptocurrency Mining Work?

Put simply, cryptocurrency miners use their PC as a node that performs the complex computational task of unlocking bits and pieces of a cryptocurrency, also called a hash. If you think of the blockchain as having many interconnected blocks then the hash allows two blocks to connect, which forms an unbreakable chain that grows as more users complete hashes. This is mostly an automatic procedure done through the use of software and programs that allow your computer to do this task. In exchange for the work put in, the miner is rewarded with a previously uncirculated bit or token of currency as the blockchain grows. 

To ensure that no miner is mining the same currency, each block in the chain contains something called a nonce. This nonce stands for “number only used once.” Essentially, no hash or problem is being solved twice. Think back to the analogy of the leger. You wouldn’t want the same transaction to be listed multiple times under the same name for the same item. The nonce ensures that each solution to a hash is unique. No transaction will have the same log left in the leger, so every transaction or movement remains logged. 

To perform such tasks, a miner needs to have a GPU that can be dedicated fully or partially to completing hashes and earning currency. This is why you may see photos of massive mining farms with chains of GPUs.

Why do Cryptocurrency Miners Use GPUs and not CPUs?

It would seem obvious that someone looking to solve complex math problems with their PC should use their CPU. After all, it is the central processing unit and is responsible for a great deal of computation in your system. 

In short, the CPU does not effectively process data for hashing. A CPU excels at focusing on a small number of tasks at a time, which is called serial processing. This means that a CPU, for the most part, completes tasks one at a time. It does this quickly, but hashing or mining requires multi-tasking. 

A GPU makes use of parallel processing where the multiple processors on the card tackle a high number of tasks at once. This is good for hashing because multiple problems need solving, and often the solutions come from a good deal of mathematical guesswork by the system. It’s like trying to break into a bank vault through trial and error. When mining, your PC is crunching numbers and attempting many solutions at once. 

This is why miners are buying up GPUs and not CPUs for mining. A graphics card can tackle complex tasks and mine much more efficiently than even the best CPUs on the market.

Conclusion

This quick guide covered the basics of cryptocurrency mining and how it works. There is a lot that goes into how cryptocurrencies, blockchains, and tokens function that this guide did not cover. There are many interesting books written on the subject that dissect all of the terms you read here in fine detail. Now that you know the broad strokes and the role of the cryptocurrency miner, you can take a look at the practices of specific coins with this knowledge as a basis.

The post What is Cryptocurrency Mining and How Does it Work? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.